Posted on 10/27/2025 2:56:59 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Federal immigration authorities say they no longer have to provide on-demand access to detention facilities for members of Congress. The reason? The government shutdown.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, who have been fighting a lawsuit brought by Democratic lawmakers over prior denied visit attempts,have informed lawmakers that they simply don’t have the staff or funding to support those visits. Lawmakers have previously been legally allowed to demand them as part of their oversight duties, which includes monitoring conditions and communicating with detainees facing deportation.
And in court, ICE has added another explanation: As a result of the shutdown, there’s now no law on the books that requires the Trump administration to accommodate lawmakers’ visits. That requirement had been contained in government funding laws that expired when the shutdown began. Instead, ICE informed U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb that it is now funding its operations with appropriations made in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which does not require congressional access.
“ICE is no longer funding the operation of its detention facilities … with any funds that were appropriated subject to [the requirement for lawmaker visits]” Justice Department attorneys indicated.
The result has been mounting frustration for congressional Democrats, who had already been suing the Trump...
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Oh darn!!!
Give them all a pass to enter ICE detention facilities. One-way.
Beautiful!
Can’t afford it.
Boo hoo hoo! No more AOC posing in her white jumpsuit, looking all scared behind that invisible chain link fence.
Jia Cobb is a Biden stooge and another member of the Jemima James ghettopotamiposse. Fugly.
I know some will get their pretty knickers in a twist over it but I still find it funny.
There she is, doing her version of “Rodin, The Thinker”, best that she can.
Some judge better tell Congress to pass a funding bill allowing for jail visitation! Quick!
😂😂😂😂
Excellent!
ROTFL! Way to go.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.